Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1887-01-13
Aechancstovn Frederick County, Mayand Thursday JAM 49, t81


lady was quite wiling TO elopo with her al
mrcr 80 fnr rs Jack coiid ascertain Mar.
ma'ul,e Cauutilcrs had dropped hints which
had caused this shameful report to get about,
and though he had not apparently gone so
far as u show the letter. he made no secret
Of having secured It,
Jack was not q hOt-tempered man, hut It
cost linn great effort to control his rage
ard Indignation and to reflect calmly over
the situation He smoked two full-havored
ciga s--a very unusual thing for him to do in
the middle of a day, and q sure sign Of men
tai pertlrbation-and after all hours cogita
ton he rose from his seat with all air Of des
peration.
ut can't be helped. I must dissembe, as
they say on the stage" h, muttorcd t" him
sell. 10 is devilish unpleasant to have to
sha;e hands with man one is longing to
kick. But I've undertaken the job and
must carry it through for Amy's sake, though
it isn't in my line al all
So saying he seized his hat and started to
call upon Marmuduke Carrlthcrs at his
chambers. which were near at hand. Mar
mahuke Carruthcrs welcomed him with a
frank appearance Of coriiiality which he
couli always assume at a moments noti"-.
IN this particular instance, perhaps. he did
no Great violence to his feelings. for he and
Jack w,rn old club Appropriateness OF many
years standing, and the latter had thu & cat
Recommendation in the eyes Of an imp"u
niu,,S younger son of being the heir to Il fine
estate
"Havo some brcakfastr said the Hon.
Narmadukc, when they had exchanged
greetings.
No, thanks, have just had my lunch,"
replied Jack, with forced laugh. Il will
take II cigarette. if you don't mind"
by ali means Light up" said the Hen
Marma,,uke, rcsuming his scat at the break
fast table. Il Lave been up late the last few
nights.
Lost some money hceri' said Jack, puff
ing turiol.ly at his cigarette.
We'll, I'm about square again now ra-
turned TIE Hon. Marmadukc. II had luck ut
tie fhu.uix yesterday, 80 shall swear OF for
awhile. What brings you h"rci" ho added,
evidently noting JnG Is embarrassment.
"a very un} lgasnnt business Car,7,theIs,'
said jack, rnabio altogether to rcpresS his
temper. I've Heard something about my
cousin, Mrs. Ain.lir, which has rather np-ct
me know have no right to inerfcrn be-
tween You and hcr; that il her husbands
business AT the same time should be aw-
t,Iiy cut up i. anything happ"nel'
Ny dear fellow, you n"-in't be afraid"
said Hon Malm&Iukr, rcassurinEly. Moth
ing will happen. thought matters were 20
ing trte too far 20 | considered it my dut.
toto terminate thu acquaintance
what" exclaimed Jack, with an involun
tar start.
"Nrll sou know, WIS in al awkward fix.
It turned ont shat the lady took our innocent
.'.r;A,ion au grand ser.oux,' said the Hon.
Mayna'luk", smiling. Il had not barGnin'd
for anything morr than plNtunc friend
ship | he'd avs uDrI!c in mud that was
u Il Tend If yours
Very honorable of You, said Jack, with a
REGULAR ntonstion of his voice that might
pass for emotion. Il should never have
,ou,,ht that my cousin was capable Of
Lrlu.t passion
The Hon Mnrmalukc glanced at Jack,
"hoe" expressive ta'H manifested supreme
.t'ntemlt, apparcnt!y at hi, cousin. conduct
OF course, You vii understand that | am
not boa ting, hu. only defending myself
against your suTli"l2ns, said The Hon. Mar
m.ille, a!ter pause. II you doubt what
.ny cnn prov" "ny woris
low" lien aud,! Ja's, quickly.
Til" Hon. Marula,luhc h"'itatH[ II moment,
nnd then pr".uel from his pocket Il dainty
cigarette ,an, iron which be extracted "A
Letter
Road that" he said, throwing it on the
table toward Jack, and rcs,lming his neal
with rather o tcutatious carclcSsncss.
Jack ovenad the letter With the air of
rlai, VINO c,ull hardly bclcve the evidence
Of his EYES and cars. After glanrng quickly
through il he withdrew to one of The windows
and read it very dclibey-t Hiy while the lion.
Nalr,adu;e continued h 5 breakfast with the
utmost Indifference.
Il ray. Carruthcrs! viii YOU give mo ti''"
said Jack, advancing c,Iddcn!y with tho lct3T
IN his hand,
Il don't think You can ask that returned
the Hon. Marmaduke rather hastily. at is
the sort Of lc'tcr which only the lady's lu,-
land could claim and, OF course Ec h.lows
nuti,ius about IT,
II should have thought you would have
de troyed it." said Jack, looking his com
rnlion STRAIGHT in the face.
I'm afraid YOU cont know tho world as
well as do. my FRIEND responded the Hon
Mnrriaduke, cooliy, ms he replaced the letter
in his cigarette case. al wish Mrs, Ain>lir no
harrn, of course. but must proec myself
When woman imagines her affections have
been sighted she becomes dangerous eucmy
it exis;s-or rather SO long as it remains in
III, posSeSsicn-she Will not attempt t
ham me-"
But you say you will give it up to her
hs.andP suggested Jack
so | would if he should hear Of II In that
case, from what | know of Mr. AlnSlic, I'M
,.rine nladams wings would be clipped"
said the Hon. Marmaduke, with laugh
,,L Oh lctrayed his yindictyencSS
will you authorize me to usr my discre-
ton about telling my cousins husband Of
tl,is wrctchcd letter.
You can please yourself: but for goodness
sukc don't imagine suggest such course.
said the Hon Marmaduke, with CLEAN OF
triumph in his eyes
"Of course not l cannot sufficiently
hank you for this Interview" returned j"rk,
sab faint attempt at heartne"s. Snail
Gu look in at the Blenheim tonight in case
want to see your
As likely as not. At all events You know
my address" said the Hon. Marnaduhe
,ilLingly.
The same evening Jack Harwocd entered
TIE smt king-room at the Blcnheim in COM
pnny with Mr.. AiISEe. Several ne,nhcrS
we're present, including the Hon Marina
duke. Who as usual was the center o: an al
mlng circ,e of youngsters. The appearance
,i Nlr Anlslie caused some little stir among
the youthful coterie, from which it WAS evi
u,i. that some OF them, at all events. had
card of the scandal about that gentleman 8
wife. Jack nodded to the Hon. Malmadune,
ana modestly took seat in the background:
but Mr. Aiuslie, who locked very pale and
de c.uIincd, stepped into the center of the
circle which was formed il front Of the lire,
and aid in q tone OF voice winch was audible
in every part of the room: